I conclude that Amazon's list needs to be put out of its misory. Tolkien, yes. The other two...
There were plenty of other surprises on there, leading me to believe that, yes, that list was worthless.
I enjoy Jane Eyre. But that is because I immediately forget the religious nonsense.
I have often wondered, and please don't take this the wrong way, if you have to be female to identify with or enjoy Jane Eyre. I don't remember ever hearing from a male who loved it. Not that that's an appropriate excuse not to read it.
Well those first few pages were horrid and the Cliff's Notes that got me through class were dull too. I think at this point it’s more of an ingrained habit of avoidance. Am I missing something?
Why anyone would want to use Cliff's Notes is beyond me.
Are you missing something? Yes. What makes it literature. The reason why it is good. Cliff's Notes are like ... powder soup. It is not soup. It is just a powdery, boring extract of soup and it lacks the soupness of it.
I meant was a missing some appeal to Austen or Bronte that I should endevour to read it, not comparing to the quality of Cliff's Notes to the actual work. I do enjoy the soup analogy though, that was well done.

Cliff's Notes were my lazy way to get a grade in High School English, while reading other things I found more interesting.
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1687 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
1288 Views
Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
1327 Views
Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
1250 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
1233 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
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Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
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Re: Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM
1491 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
1246 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
1259 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
1310 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
1090 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
670 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
1067 Views
That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately.
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
1143 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
1143 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
662 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
703 Views
I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
1340 Views
I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
1243 Views
Less fun than you'd think.
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1107 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1107 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it.
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
1251 Views
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
1251 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
1324 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1326 Views
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1326 Views
Good survey.
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1312 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1312 Views
Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
1274 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1189 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1189 Views
Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
1232 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
1304 Views
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
1221 Views
Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1383 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1383 Views
Re: Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1246 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1246 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
1351 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
1211 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
1271 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
1238 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
1337 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
1015 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
1222 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
1383 Views
